Please Wear Sunscreen


I usually don't get sunburned after hanging out at the beach. So I don't mind a little tanning then and there, it's actually quite relaxing to get a tan. But all the sun exposure will eventually catch up to you. 

A week ago, I came back home with peeling skin and a burning sensation. Even if you don't get burned, applying sunscreen is a must, and this is coming from someone who hates applying it. 


But why sunscreen? Why stay away from the sun once in a while?

#1: Sunscreen protects your skin from damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays

The sun releases UV radiation, which can go through your skin and cause those stupid sunburns.

Sunscreen, however, absorbs the radiation caused by UV, preventing it from entering our skin barrier. No sunscreen can fully block the radiation, but it allows you to enjoy the sun before there's any serious reddening on your skin. (Sunscreens: Protect Your Skin, 2025).

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, you should apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside and reapply it at least every 2 hours. 

I personally would bring a beach umbrella for shade and wear a hat (one that actually covers my entire face).


#2: Sunburns hurt


Sunburns are a real pain in the ass. Every time you move a muscle, it feels like fire. Imagine having to stay as still as possible and walk like a robot because of it. Doesn't sound exciting at all. 

If you don't ever put sunscreen on, expect your skin to start peeling (like what happened to me). When you keep on scratching at it, it will irritate the skin and start to sting. 

Unless you want to look like a tomato and get an irritating feeling, then I wouldn't suggest leaving out the sunscreen and risking yourself to a sunburn. 

#3: Sun exposure can cause you to wrinkle faster


Yes, aging. It can worsen with sun exposure. When UV radiation from the sun goes through our skin, the UV rays come in contact with our skin cells, interfering with the "delicate processes that affect the skin's growth and appearance." It gets harder for the skin to heal itself as you grow older. UV damage can inflame our connective tissue, so the skin will develop wrinkles much more quickly. (Wein, Hicklin, & Defibaugh, 2014). 

If you're a teenager like me, you'd be worried about this as well.

#4: Make you moody

The heat rage is actually very real. Evidence from a landmark review done by Imperial College London and The Lancet Planetary Health revealed that decreasing mood, increasing anxiety, and frequent hospital visits correlated with temperature spikes and abnormal weather (Hussey, 2025).

The scorching heat, the sticky air, the brightness of the sun. This physical comfort, along with almost going blind from how sunny it is already, puts me in a bad mood. This bad mood is worse than the bad mood that I get when I'm on my period. It makes me want to give everyone an attitude when I don't want to. It makes me want to rip my hair out and complain about every little wrong thing. 


#5: Dizziness/tiredness

It's the same feeling you get when you feel thirsty and don't drink enough water. And that's exactly the reason. Dehydration. Because we're sweating from the heat, we're not getting enough fluids, and our blood pressure decreases. There is less blood flowing to your brain and organs." (Why Does The Sun Make You Feel Tired? Here are 7 Reasons, 2024). 

This is also another reason why you may get moody in the heat. 

I have low iron. Having low iron, combined with the fatigue coming from dying of thirst, is a death wish. God forbid. 

#6: Possible risk of skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. (It's a sign that we need to wear sunscreen and stop exposing ourselves to the sun ALL the time).

Not only does UV damage and inflame connective tissue, but it also harms our DNA/genetic material. The amount of harm can cause rapid growth and division of the cells, leading to clumps of excess cells called a tumor/lesion.

Although this type of cancer is "rarely life-threatening", you should still go check it out if you have grown a tumor. It may or may not be cancerous. 


Sources:

"Sunscreen: Protect Your Skin." University of Rochester Medical Center, n.d., Accessed 13 August 2025. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P01351

Hussey, Matt. "Is The Sun Making You Mad? How Extreme Heat Hijacks Mood, Fuels "Heat Rage", And What You Can Do About It 🥵." The Brink, 6 August 2025, https://www.thebrink.me/is-the-sun-making-us-mad-how-extreme-heat-hijacks-mood-fuels-heat-rage-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/

Wein, Hicklin, & Defibaugh. "Sun and Skin.", News in Health, July 2014, https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/07/sun-skin

"Why Does The Sun Make You Tired? Here Are 7 Reasons." Cleveland Clinic, 8 April 2024, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-does-the-sun-make-you-tired

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